Nauru is not Australia - Government

The Government of Nauru has
responded to recent calls by Australian media for greater access
with a simple message - remember that Nauru is not a state of
Australia!

"Many Australian media outlets and journalists have no respect for
Nauru or our culture or people," said Justice Minister David
Adeang.

He said the reason the Government refuses to answer many of the
"ridiculous" questions posed to it by Australian journalists is
because, "Nauru has no obligation to answer to Australian
media".

"The Australian media approaches us with great arrogance and an
air of racial superiority, which is highly offensive to us.

"They do not show us the respect of a sovereign nation and in
return we have little respect for them."

Mr Adeang said many journalists only want their version of the
truth and will never accept the facts.

"The truth is that despite the difficulties many refugees face and
the lack of certainty they feel about the future - and we
acknowledge that - Nauru is safe, refugees are not being raped,
they have freedom, many are happy and making the best of their
situation, and life on Nauru is peaceful with locals and refugees
living, in the main, harmoniously.

"But this truth doesn't suit the activist journalists. They need
to paint a different picture to justify their political agendas and
their own lack of fact-checking and poor journalism."

He said many journalists don't ever question the claims of refugee
advocates and Australian lawyers.

"The Nauruan community continues to do everything possible to
welcome refugees and asylum seekers into our community, and we are
doing this despite the frequent and outrageous false allegations by
advocates, who prefer to trash and bash Nauru in a never-ending and
vain attempt to keep open the option of settlement in
Australia."

"But this is giving refugees false hope and hindering our efforts
of assimilation and progress."

The minister said if the country allowed journalists to wander the
small island, refugees who are now living peacefully would - under
the direction of Australian based advocates - start to protest and
riot for the cameras and there would be chaos that the nation's
police force would struggle to contain.

"The sooner everyone accepts the regular and unwavering
proclamations by the Australian Government that Australia is not a
settlement option for refugees in Nauru, the better it will be for
the aspirations and future of each refugee."